POW diaries - Captain Percival Lowe, item 122

• June 23, 2017 16:36:27 Annick Rodriguez

  59.
  

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  & we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels here as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  was at 9.30 except on bath days Tuesday, Wednesday &
  

  Thursday when it was at 12. When an escape took
  

  place they used at once to sound the appel. There
  

   last line of page mostly omitted from scan except last 2 words The afternoon
  

• June 23, 2017 11:56:54 Liam Benison

  59.
  

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels  there  as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  was at 9.30 except on bath days Tuesday, Wednesday &
  

  Thursday when it was at 12. When an escape took
  

  place they used at once to  sound the appel. There
  

   last line of page mostly omitted from scan except last 2 words The afternoon
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:54:54 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels  there  as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  was at 9.30 except on bath days Tuesday, Wednesday &
  

  Thursday when it was at 12. When an escape took
  

  place they used at once to  sound the appel. There
  

   last line of page mostly omitted from scan except last 2 words The afternoon
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:51:58 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels  there  as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  was at 9.30 except on bath days Tuesday, Wednesday &
  

  Thursday when it was at 12. When an escape took
  

  place they used at once to  sound the appel. There
  

   last line of page mostly omitted from scan The afternoon
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:51:42 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels  there  as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  was at 9.30 except on bath days Tuesday, Wednesday &
  

  Thursday when it was at 12. When an escape took
  

  place they used at once to  sound the appel. There
  

   last line of page omitted from scan The afternoon
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:51:07 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels  there  as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  was at 9.30 except on bath days Tuesday, Wednesday &
  

  Thursday when it was at 12. When an escape took
  

  place they used at once to  sound the appel. There
  

   last line of page omitted from scan
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:48:31 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels  there  as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  was at 9.30 except on bath days Tuesday, Wednesday &
  

  Thursday when it was at 12. When an escape took
  

  place they used at once to the appel. There
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:47:15 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels  there  as a rule were gentlemanly. Thus the 1st appel
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:46:02 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  far as we were concerned it lead to the discovery of our
  

  bolt hole. For naturally they did not [insert] at first [/insert] think of the
  

  walk.
  

  Appels
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:44:54 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  General & was soon transferred to another camp [insert] on the front [/insert]. But as
  

  
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:43:53 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well. However they got clean
  

  away and were not missed till the following morning
  

  They were ultimately caught in Westphalia because they

  had run out of food. I may add the German lieutenant
  

  in charge of this walk got a rough half hour from the
  

  
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:42:15 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  But that very afternoon a new misfortune befell us.
  

  There was a walk ; and two young French officers who
  

  had just arrived elected to do a bolt on this. They
  

  had never given their parole. of course they had not
  

  thought out their scheme well.
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:40:46 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  &  we  were warned to be ready to evaluate the [insert] main [/insert] building.
  

  The local fire engine arrived with a bugler & the local
  

  jagaar  company with an officer. It was a drole night.
  

  I must say I had the first real laugh that I had had
  

  for months –
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:35:38 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  being burnt to the ground. It was touch and go that
  

  the whole building did not catch. At the first go of the
  

  sentries for the most part left their posts but unfortuneately
  

  one came quite near our hole, otherwise this would have
  

  been an excellent chance. Then someone in authority
  

  arrived – a cordon of guard was put round the place.
  

  
  

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• June 23, 2017 11:32:51 Liam Benison

  On the 19th May there was a fire. The German guard room
  

  
  

  
  

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